About Wendy

Wendy Maltz, LCSW, DST is an internationally recognized certified sex therapist, educator, and lecturer, with more than thirty years of clinical experience. She is a leading expert on sexual healing from sexual abuse, women’s sexual fantasies, healthy sexuality, and recovery from porn-related concerns. Wendy’s work is widely considered at the cutting edge of the sexuality field. She has been hailed by Dr. Patrick Carnes, a leader in the sexual recovery field, as “one of our most gifted healers.”

Wendy is codirector with her husband Larry of Maltz Counseling Associates. From 2011-2014 Maltz served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching “Human Sexuality in Counseling” for the Graduate Program in Couples and Family Therapy at the University of Oregon, in Eugene Oregon. On October 25, 2014, Wendy received the prestigious Carnes award by the Society for the Advancement of Sexual Health (SASH – www.sash.net) for “her outstanding work in the field of sexual addiction.”

Her most popular book, The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse (HarperCollins, 1991/2001/2012- Now available in a 3rd edition), has enjoyed over twenty-three years in print with continued steady sales to date. It contains groundbreaking sexual healing strategies and “relearning touch” techniques and is often referred to as the primary healing guide for overcoming the sexual problems caused by past abuse. It has sold more than 200,000 copies in the United States, and it has been published in German, Italian, Japanese and most recently Portuguese, translations.

When Wendy’s readers and clients shared that they were troubled by unwanted erotic thoughts and images, she researched the hidden world of sexual fantasies. The results informed her next book, Private Thoughts: Exploring the Power of Women’s Sexual Fantasies, coauthored with Suzie Boss and originally entitled In the Garden of Desire. It focuses on where sexual fantasies come from, what they mean, and how they influence sexual arousal, and is the first book to offer guidance on understanding and transforming unwanted sexual fantasies. Chosen as a special selection of the Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Clubs, Private Thoughts has been printed in ten foreign language editions and, due to popular demand, was re-released in 2008 in a new paperback edition by Booksurge and published in e-format Kindle edition in 2012.

In an effort to educate people about healthy sexual intimacy, Wendy compiled and edited two poetry anthologies. Passionate Hearts: The Poetry of Sexual Love, published by New World Library in 1996, has been an Amazon.com #1 Best Seller in the Sex in Literature Category and was recently released in a special 10 year anniversary edition. Wendy’s second poetry anthology, Intimate Kisses: The Poetry of Sexual Pleasure, is also a best seller for its publisher. These poetry collections have been featured by major booksellers, such as Barnes & Noble, in their Valentines Day book selections.

An experienced public speaker, workshop trainer and keynote presenter, Wendy has lectured in many major cities in the U.S., plus in Canada and New Zealand. Her presentation style is described as “warm and friendly,” “professional,” “information rich,” and “accessible.” Having worked in the field of sexuality for over three decades, Wendy knows how to put her audiences at ease on the subject.

Wendy has extensive media experience. Her work has been featured in many national magazines, such as, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, Men’s Health, Glamour, Parents, and Mademoiselle, and on popular websites, such as Salon.com, WebMD, MSNBC, and Tango.com. Wendy has been a popular media guest interviewed on television and radio programs, in the US and Canada, discussing sexuality topics.

Professional Services

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